That's good.

Hi,

I don't think loosening up means to lose focus. Do you use your breath when you are dancing? How aware of it are you? This is one small thing that can yield great results in creating more flow in your dancing. It sounds like that is what you are looking for. Also, do you do any freestyle dancing? How comfortable are you moving your body without a pre-determined structure or set of steps? Great dancers display a balance of technical prowess along with a sense of spontaneity and authenticity.

I hope this helps!

Are you a beginner? Because I think before you can truly loosen up you need have developed the necessary strength to be able to take control of your body. Also are you focussing on the footwork? Because if you are this can make you look a bit stiff. You need to employ the motto of let the steps learn you and not the other way around.

Again making the movements look sharp depends on core strength. If you have the ability to move your body as you want and control that movement, you will be able to stop at the sharpest moment. To be honest, loosening up is a common problem but something that you will learn to do over time if you are a beginner currently. However, without actually seeing you dance it is difficult to say if the problem is surrounding loosening up or something else.

All the best.

Check your area, to see if there are any classes in Afro/Cuban rumba or similar type classes .

I have experienced this "stiffness" and, as other writers have said, there may be many reasons for this. Stress may be one reason. If we are serious about being the best we can, our shoulders can tighten and rise up giving a stiff appearance. To dance latin or rhythm dances well you need to be able to control all of your body parts precisely giving the illusion that this is easy to do. Of course, it is not. Core strength, and a considerable amount, is essential but not the only requirement. A stable frame is also essential but if overly firm it will appear stiff. Leads that are too extreme or abrupt may appear as stiffness. Styling with the arms must be fluid yet stop sharply for those picture moments. Jerkyness can pull your shoulders up and produce robot-like motion.

Good dancers are a total package of strength, balance and absolute control over every movement. It takes time and a lot of hard work to get there. I'm convinced that you never stop learning and growing.

Good luck!

Jim Maranto (former American Smooth champion, but he can also dance Latin really well) points out that dancing is an athletic activity. So he suggests that you start by putting yourself in the stance you would use, for example, if you were a tennis player getting ready to return a serve. Your knees will be slightly flexed and you will be ready to move in any direction. You are NOT stiff--and nothing about this prevents you from being "sharp" when you dance Cha-Cha or Rumba. Simple things like "squaring up" with your partner after a Crossover Break/New Yorker will make you look sharp. You need to focus but you don't need to be tense.